Customer Reviews

The Memory Of All That: Gershwin On Broadway And In Hollywood

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mary Clere Haran has one of those exceptional voices that can make you fall in love with her even though you may have never been in her presence. I cannot fault any of the performances on this album. I do have an issue with the choice of material. I would place the majority of the material in the novelty category --- cute, likeable, songs but not the kind of material you want to return to frequently. I wish they had chosen more of the classic Gershwin songs sung by Ms. Haran in her exquisite, simple, direct delivery. Then this would have been an album for the ages.

I'm rating this a little higher to bring up the overall rating. Mary Cleere Haran is a marevelous interpreter of all the material she chooses. To rate this set low because it doesn't have all the "classic" songs on it is an insult to the Gershwin catelog. Most of the Gershwin catelog is vastly superior to many other composers' best two or three popular songs. I chose this disc (a) because it was Mary Cleere Haran, and (b) because she doesn't choose just the most predictable numbers, giving the listener the opportunity to expand their familiarity with the Gershwin catelog. Certainly not as good as Maureen McGovern's tribute (it is one of the best), or Ella Fitzgerald's songbook (no one approaches her set), but it is a wonderful set, nonetheless.

I was attracted to listen to this CD because I am a fan of the music of George Gershwin. While this effort is good, as another reviewer suggested there is better Gershwin material out there. For example, Susannah McCorkle's tribute CD is vastly superior.

Still, it is pleasant material although it could have been better by a better selection of material.